Greetings from Knit Cafe

When former CBS vice president Suzan Mischer decided to open a knitting store on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles, she wanted to create a place where people could gather, slow down, and talk (as well as buy supplies). The result was Knit Cafe, a sleek yet homey neighborhood yarn store in one of the most famous neighborhoods in the world.

This fabulous shop—and its unique spiriWhen former CBS vice president Suzan Mischer decided to open a knitting store on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles, she wanted to create a place where people could gather, slow down, and talk (as well as buy supplies). The result was Knit Cafe, a sleek yet homey neighborhood yarn store in one of the most famous neighborhoods in the world.

This fabulous shop—and its unique spirit—are celebrated in Greetings from Knit Cafe, now available in an updated paperback edition.

Colorful and chic, the book offers 30 of Knit Cafe’s most dazzling patterns for "California-style" projects ranging from hiking socks to a bikini to a "red carpet" gown. It also features stories about how the celebrated store came to be and how its eclectic clientele came to shape it. Even a few favorite recipes from regular customers are included.

Why oh why don't we have half stars? This is a 3.5 star book for me. There aren't enough patterns for my taste, but many of them are gorgeous and there are some unique ideas like a keyboard cover, a yarmulke and a horse blanket (although why someone would spend time knitting something that huge to put on a horse that lives in a barn is beyond me. I love animals but that sounds masochistic). One problem the book has, though, is trying to be too much: there are recipes, music lists, poems and anecWhy oh why don't we have half stars? This is a 3.5 star book for me. There aren't enough patterns for my taste, but many of them are gorgeous and there are some unique ideas like a keyboard cover, a yarmulke and a horse blanket (although why someone would spend time knitting something that huge to put on a horse that lives in a barn is beyond me. I love animals but that sounds masochistic). One problem the book has, though, is trying to be too much: there are recipes, music lists, poems and anecdotes that aren't necessarily even related. Still, a beautiful skirt, an evening dress, and a cute random skirt pattern for a kid make the book worth a look....more

Let's face it, no book ever has a list of patterns that everyone will knit. We pick the ones we like from a book and enjoy it not only for the patterns, but also the looks and the readability. It's also true I probably wouldn't use nice yarn from Japan to make a horse blanket but I do like the blanket.

The photos are very well done in this book and the layout is excellent. It's a pleasure to re-read beyond studying the patterns. It also definitely fits the friendly, relaxed yet high class southerLet's face it, no book ever has a list of patterns that everyone will knit. We pick the ones we like from a book and enjoy it not only for the patterns, but also the looks and the readability. It's also true I probably wouldn't use nice yarn from Japan to make a horse blanket but I do like the blanket.

The photos are very well done in this book and the layout is excellent. It's a pleasure to re-read beyond studying the patterns. It also definitely fits the friendly, relaxed yet high class southern California life style (I grew up there).

I enjoy the extra tidbits, like recipes and ideas. If I want to get only a list of patterns, I look online. If I want a book to enjoy for many reasons, something like Greetings from Knit Cafe fits the bill. ...more

This is a cute book, with a very "L.A." feel. It's pink and fluffy. There are some nice patterns (The polo shirt looks comfy), but nothing that jumped off the page and said, "You must knit me NOW." The patterns are mostly comfy West coast styles.

I guess my envy was spiked a little by her story of opening the Knit Cafe: "I was creating a place for me. I wanted a space where I could do many of my favorite things--listen to music, drink tea, play with wonderful yarns, think up fun ideas to knit andThis is a cute book, with a very "L.A." feel. It's pink and fluffy. There are some nice patterns (The polo shirt looks comfy), but nothing that jumped off the page and said, "You must knit me NOW." The patterns are mostly comfy West coast styles.

I guess my envy was spiked a little by her story of opening the Knit Cafe: "I was creating a place for me. I wanted a space where I could do many of my favorite things--listen to music, drink tea, play with wonderful yarns, think up fun ideas to knit and crochet, and meet new people." That sounds pretty fab....more

Honestly, this book is 50% really really boring patterns. Good thing I got it for $4.99 on a really good Amazon sale. A good book for a beginner, but some of the things (the Love Blanket?!) are just fugly...and for the TIME it would take...and ALL that stockinette...heavens...

Still, I've made the guitar messenger back (VERY cool), but the lacy skirt was a disaster--the sizing was ALL wrong. It'll have to be pleated. Anyway, I like having knitting books around. It's a "cute" book.

This book is very inviting. I love all the funky, bright colors that seem to explode from the pages of this book. They have an excellent assortment of colors on every page. The patterns in this book were pretty cool, but I didn't see anything that caught my eye. I would recommend this book, even if you just want to look through it and get inspired.